Korean car maker Kia is already winning fans in the media and among shoppers with its powerful new Stinger sedan, and now the Queensland police force has jumped on board.

As the end of Australian automotive manufacturing sees the imposing and sweat-inducing image of liveried Holden Commodore SS and Ford Falcon XR8 sedans fade from our mirrors, law enforcement agencies around the country have been forced to look elsewhere for their operational vehicle needs.

For regular patrol and transport needs, many have expanded the presence of conventional sedans and SUVs, with models like the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata among them.

Sports cars such as the Kia Stinger are becoming first-choice among law enforcement agencies for use in pursuits. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

The new imported Commodore has also snagged a contract with Victoria Police.

When it comes to pursuit however, sports models with space to spare and dynamic handling remain the order of the day.

The value of a large stickered-up performance sedan's intimidating presence isn't to be underestimated either, with huge wheels and growling exhausts wowing onlookers and giving would-be hoons cause for pause.

Now the Queensland Poliec have jumped on board - boosting their road fleet with 50 of the new turbocharged sedans. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

But, with the high-powered Holden and Ford sedans gone – along with the 'buy Australian' policies that helped keep the now retired locally-built Commodore and Falcon in a job – where are police looking to fulfill their needs?

Related Articles

In Victoria and New South Wales, a pair of German and American options have won contracts, with the new BMW 530d (a high-powered six-cylinder diesel model) and the aging V8-powered Chrysler 300 SRT signing on with the highway patrol groups.

In Queensland, it's the new Kia Stinger.

Queensland Police have been testing the vehicle since last 2017, and this week it has officially been added to the force. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

The northern state's police force has been testing the big new liftback sedan since late 2017, and this week it has been officially added to the fleet.

A total of 50 turbocharged V6-powered Stingers will join Queensland's Road Policing Command by Christmas, all outfitted with the necessary stickering, lights, and technology like automatic numberplate recognition.

“It was not a big step at all once we had begun the investigation process,” said Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan.

It is expected the high-powered vehicles will be patrolling the state's roads by Christmas this year. Picture: Supplied. (Supplied)

"Reading what the experts had to say, and seeing how efficiently the Stinger was changing minds and perceptions once people had been exposed to it… it was not a difficult decision.

“You often hear Police Ministers talking about providing the best equipment for those at the coal face. In this case I truly believe we have been able to do that.”

Kia says the Stinger is being evaluated by other Australian law enforcement agencies, as they look to replace the locally-built Commodore and Falcon as Highway Patrol cars.